Enzyme immobilization strategies for the design of robust and efficient biocatalysts

Different strategies for the preparation of efficient and robust immobilized biocatalysts are here reviewed. Different physico-chemical approaches are discussed.i.- The stabilization of enzyme by any kind of immobilization on pre-existing porous supports.ii.- The stabilization of enzymes by multipoint covalent attachment on support surfaces.iii.- Additional stabilization of immobilized-stabilized enzyme by physical or chemical modification with polymers.These three strategies can be easily developed when enzymes are immobilized in pre-existing porous supports. In addition to that, these immobilized-stabilized derivatives are optimal to develop enzyme reaction engineering and reactor engineering. Stabilizations ranging between 1000 and 100,000 folds regarding diluted soluble enzymes are here reported.     

Stimulation of Microvascular Networks on Sulfonated Polyrotaxane Surfaces with Immobilized Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Modulation of material properties and growth factor application are critical in constructing suitable cell culture environments to induce desired cellular functions. Sulfonated polyrotaxane (PRX) surfaces with immobilized vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are prepared to improve network formation in vascular endothelial cells. Sulfonated PRXs, whereby sulfonated α‐cyclodextrins (α‐CDs) are threaded onto a linear poly(ethylene glycol) chain capped with bulky groups at both terminals, are coated onto surfaces. The molecular mobility of sulfonated PRX surfaces is modulated by tuning the number of threading α‐CDs. VEGF is immobilized onto surfaces with varying mobility. Low mobility and VEGF‐immobilization reinforce cell proliferation, yes‐associated protein activity, and rhoA, pdgf, ang‐1, and pecam‐1 gene expression. Highly mobile surfaces and soluble VEGF weakly affect these cell responses. Network formation is strongly stimulated in vascular endothelial cells only on low‐mobility VEGF‐immobilized surfaces, suggesting that molecular mobility and VEGF immobilization synergistically control cell function.     

Different PES nanofibrous membrane parameters effect on the efficacy of immunoassay performance

The contribution of electrospun nanofibrous membranes (e.NFMs) in the biosensing platforms opens up a new prospect for the invention of faster and more sensitive analytical devices. In this paper, we utilized e.NFM of polyethersulfone (PES) as a solid substrate for the protein immobilization through two different approaches: physical and covalent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier‐transform‐infrared (FTIR) tests were performed to study the effect of plasma treatment on protein immobilization efficacy. Moreover, taking advantage of ELISA technique, the influence of different parameters, namely, nanofibers diameter, membrane thickness, plasma treatment time, an incubation time of ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐carbodiimide/N‐hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS), and their ratio on antibody immobilization efficacy through two mentioned approaches, was also assessed.     

Click Chemistry Mediated Functionalization of Vertical Nanowires for Biological Applications

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are gaining significant importance in various biological applications, such as biosensing and drug delivery. Efficient and controlled immobilization of biomolecules on the NW surface is crucial for many of these applications. Here, we present for the first time the use of the Cu^I‐catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition and its strain‐promoted variant for the covalent functionalization of vertical NWs with peptides and proteins. The potential of the approach was demonstrated in two complementary applications of measuring enzyme activity and protein binding, which is of general interest for biological studies. The attachment of a peptide substrate provided NW arrays for the detection of protease activity. In addition, green fluorescent protein was immobilized in a site‐specific manner and recognized by antibody binding to demonstrate the proof‐of‐concept for the use of covalently modified NWs for diagnostic purposes using minute amounts of material.     

Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum (VI) complex immobilized on polymeric Schiff base-coated magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and retrievable nanocatalyst in olefin epoxidation reactions

In this study, a new polymeric functionalized magnetic nanocatalyst containing a molybdenum Schiff base complex was prepared using a few consecutive steps. Poly (methylacrylate)-coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized via radical polymerization of methyl acrylate onto modified magnetic nanoparticles followed by the amidation of the methyl ester groups with hydrazine. Polymeric functionalization efficiently provides the advantage that more catalytic units can be grafted on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. The functionalization process was continued with salicylaldehyde which introduced Schiff base groups on to the surface of the polymeric support. In the final step, the desired catalytic system was prepared via complexation of the Schiff base groups with MoO₂(acac)₂. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. This heterogenized catalytic system was also found to be highly active, sustainable and recyclable nanocatalyst in alkene epoxidation. Eventually, the attractive features of the synthesized catalyst such as simple work-up, good stability, magnetic separation, high TOF and high surface area; make it appropriate for oxidation reactions.     

Recent developments of metallic nanoparticles and their catalytic activity in organic reactions

During the last two decades, with the development of nanotechnology, various nanomaterials have been designed and generated. Among them, hybrid organic–inorganic nanoparticles as a particular immobilizing carrier of the catalyst active sites have shown an important contribution in the current research studies. This is due to the large area and loads of active sites. This prominent review is focused on the novel various exa about the immobilization of nanoparticles with organic compounds as versatile and efficient catalysts in organic syntheses.     

Enhancement of bioelectrochemical dioxygen reduction with oxygen-enriching materials

Bioelectrochemical dioxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyzed by multi-copper oxidases (MCOs) is a process of paramount importance occurring at the cathode of enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs), which is an energy harvester that holds promise of self-sustained implantable and wearable medical devices. The MCO biocathode is, however, frequently the limiting factor of a working EBFC. Besides the operational stability issue, enzymatic biocathodes are largely constrained by the relatively low solubility of dioxygen in aqueous solution. As an emerging topic, we here review the introduction of dioxygen-enriching materials to the cathodic bioelectrode for overcoming the dioxygen supply limitation, leading to improved ORR performance.     

Catalytic activity of glucose oxidase after dielectrophoretic immobilization on nanoelectrodes

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an AC electrokinetic effect that is proven to be effective for the immobilization of not only cells, but also of macromolecules, for example, antibodies and enzyme molecules. In our previous work, we have already demonstrated the high catalytic activity of immobilized horseradish peroxidase after DEP. To evaluate the suitability of the immobilization method for sensing or research in general, we want to test it for other enzymes, too. In this study, glucose oxidase (GOX) from Aspergillus niger was immobilized on TiN nanoelectrode arrays by DEP. Fluorescence microscopy showed the intrinsic fluorescence of the immobilized enzymes flavin cofactor on the electrodes. The catalytic activity of immobilized GOX was detectable, but a fraction of less than 1.3% of the maximum activity that was expected for a full monolayer of immobilized enzymes on all electrodes was stable for multiple measurement cycles. Therefore, the effect of DEP immobilization on the catalytic activity strongly depends on the used enzyme.     

铈基介孔金属有机骨架固定化酶的构建及催化性能

金属有机骨架(MOF)材料由于其孔隙率高、比表面积大以及具有发达的内联通孔道结构等优点,可以作为优良的生物分子固定化载体。通过表面活性自组装策略制备了铈基介孔MOF(Ce-MOF-F),表征结果表明,该材料有大的比表面积和呈辐射状的介孔孔道结构。以其为载体、南极假丝酵母脂肪酶B(CALB)为模型酶,通过物理吸附法制备了生物催化剂CALB@Ce-MOF-F,对该固定化酶的酶载量和催化性能进行了研究。在优化条件下,CALB的负载量为162.0mg/g载体,水解活性为899.1U/g蛋白。与游离CALB相比,CALB@Ce-MOF-F表现出对高温、酸碱和有机溶剂等有更强的耐受性;将Ce-MOF-F用于多种酶的固定化,研究其作为载体的普适性,结果表明,介孔Ce-MOF-F对洋葱伯克氏菌脂肪酶(BCL)和漆酶有良好的固定效果,可以作为良好载体,并能对酶起到较好的保护作用。     

Covalent immobilization of tyrosinase on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes for inhibitor screening

The inhibition of tyrosinase is considered to be a common therapeutic strategy for some hyperpigmentation disorders. Screening of tyrosinase inhibitors is of great significance to the treatment of pigmentation diseases. In this study, tyrosinase was covalently immobilized on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the first time, and the immobilized tyrosinase was applied for ligand fishing of tyrosinase inhibitors from complex medicinal plants. The immobilized tyrosinase was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and thermo-gravimetric analyzer, which indicated that tyrosinase was immobilized onto magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The immobilized tyrosinase showed better thermal stability and reusability than the free one. The ligand was fished out from Radix Paeoniae Alba and identified as 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry. 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose was found to be a tyrosinase inhibitor with similar half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 57.13 ± 0.91 μM compared to kojic acid (41.96 ± 0.78 μM). This work not only established a new method for screening tyrosinase inhibitors but also holds considerable potential for exploring the new medicinal value of medicinal plants.